In the 1993 drama “Philadelphia”, director Jonathan Demme enlightened mainstream audiences to the stigma of people with AIDS and also the gay community. As a local film student I had the chance of being an extra in the exterior courtroom crowd scene. Although being an extra did not afford me screen credit, I was witness to a large film production. I was also able to see celebrities like Tom Hanks up close.
My friends and I at film school heard Demme was filming right down the block from our university. We were eager to see a major film production. We walked down to Philadelphia City Hall and were directly behind the ropes along with a crowd of other onlookers. My friend recognized one of the PAs (Production Assistants). She came over and was introduced to me as my friend’s cousin. We asked jokingly if they needed any help. We were aware that it was impossible since the crew is developed months or years in advance and are usually union workers.
Unexpectedly, she told us we could come back to be extras for a crowd scene. As my wish was to be behind the scene, I wasn’t too excited about acting, but I did want to be on the set. She warned us that it would be long hours, we wouldn’t receive credit and we might not be visible in the final cut of the film. We would, however, be paid for our work.
We showed up early in the morning and were told by a PA that we were to play protesters outside the courthouse. He told us we were in support of Tom Hank’s character. We were given signs and told to stand on the steps of the courthouse. There was a lot of waiting around. We stood for maybe 7 hours total. We had several rehearsals and then were ready to shoot. As Jonathan Demme walked Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks through the scene, I was one of the lucky ones closest to the court entrance. Maybe Hanks noticed me gawking as he walked past me. He looked to his left and with a genuine smile said, “Hello”. Washington, most likely in character, gave me a smile and nod.
During the downtime as set design and the lighting crew prepared the scene, my friend and I socialized with the other extras. We found out that our job acquisition was unique to most of the other extras. Most of the extras were on work lists. Some were aspiring actors and some were happy to have regular work in film production.
After the shoot, we all met at a nearby conference center where we were treated to a lavish dinner. One month later, my friend and I each received a paycheck for our work. As a starving film school student, it was a wonderful feeling to receive a paycheck with a film company’s name on it. Since the shoot, I have been fans of the celebrities I was treated so well by on my onetime experience as a movie extra.
Sources:
First person